A Mother's Miracle: Baby Willow's Fight for Life

When Bex and her husband Martin learned they were expecting a baby girl, they couldn't have been happier. The pregnancy was smooth, and the couple excitedly prepared the nursery for their first daughter. "We had such high hopes for our parenting journey and couldn't wait for that moment when we would hold our baby in our arms and bring her home," the couple recalls. 

But in the ninth month, during a routine check-up at the doctor's office, they received shocking news. "We discovered our baby had heart issues and were told we needed to have an emergency delivery," Bex recounts. 

Later that week, Bex was induced, but as the baby was born, she knew something was wrong. "When I didn't hear cries, I knew immediately my baby was gone," she wipes away a tear. "When the doctors confirmed my fear and said she hadn't survived, I started screaming in despair in the delivery room, begging my daughter to wake up. I cried like never before."

For what felt like an eternity of eight minutes, tears streamed down the face of the distressed mother. Eight minutes during which baby Willow was taken to the NICU without her mother knowing what was happening. Eight minutes where Willow's fate hung in the balance, ultimately leaning towards life. "It was a miracle that to this day doctors can't explain. They tried everything, but nothing worked until someone suggested using defibrillation. That brought my baby back," Bex explains.

Later, one of the doctors explained Willow had a condition called 'hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy' and received therapeutic hypothermia treatment to prevent permanent brain damage from the lack of oxygen. Willow underwent this treatment for four days, during which her parents couldn't be near her. "For four weeks she couldn't cry because of the tubes hurting her throat. It feels odd to say now, but back then all we wanted was to hear her cry," Bex shares.

After four days in the incubator, with her body temperature stabilized, doctors announced Willow would recover and grow normally, without any brain damage. Although she's still healing and doctors warned of potential developmental issues, she is a completely healthy baby, and we are deeply grateful. We know a journey lies ahead, but we welcome it with open arms, hoping Willow will lead a fulfilling and joyful life," Bex concludes.